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Homemade Elderberry Syrup: 3-Ingredient Cold Remedy

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This homemade elderberry syrup with honey and cloves is a simple, budget-friendly immune support remedy made with just three ingredients. Ready in under an hour, it’s a comforting and effective way to stay healthy during cold season.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried elderberries
  • 1 cup raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 4 cups filtered water

Instructions

  1. Combine the berries, cloves, and water: Add 1 cup of dried elderberries, 1 tablespoon of whole cloves, and 4 cups of filtered water to your saucepan. Give it a quick stir.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer: Turn the heat to medium-high and watch for the first bubbles. Once it reaches a rolling boil, immediately reduce the heat to low. You want a gentle simmer, not a vigorous boil.
  3. Simmer for 30-40 minutes: Let the mixture bubble away gently, uncovered. The liquid will gradually darken to a rich purple-black. Stir occasionally to prevent the berries from sticking. It’s done when the liquid has reduced by about half and the berries look plump and wrinkled.
  4. Strain the mixture: Place your fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or directly over your storage jar. Carefully pour the hot liquid through the strainer. Use the back of a wooden spoon to press gently on the berries and cloves to extract every last drop. Discard the solids.
  5. Cool slightly, then add the honey: Let the strained liquid cool for about 10-15 minutes. It should be warm but not hot. Once it’s at a comfortable warm temperature, stir in 1 cup of raw honey until fully dissolved.
  6. Bottle and store: Pour the finished syrup into your clean glass jar or bottle using a funnel if you have one. Seal it tightly and let it cool completely before refrigerating.

Notes

Don’t rush the simmer; low and slow extracts beneficial compounds without bitterness. Strain while warm for better yield. Double strain for extra smoothness if gifting. Label jars with date and contents. Make a double batch to freeze for later. Do not add honey while liquid is boiling hot to preserve raw honey’s beneficial enzymes.

Nutrition

Keywords: elderberry syrup, homemade elderberry syrup, immune support, cold remedy, honey, cloves, natural remedy

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/homemade-elderberry-syrup-3-ingredient-cold-remedy/